(Re)Connecting with Nature: Exploring Nature-Based Interventions for Psychological Health and Wellbeing

Abstract

Given the ever-expanding body of evidence that nature is good for our psychological wellbeing, many have argued that nature-based interventions have the capacity to provide effective, equitable and cost-effective ways of promoting mental health and wellbeing across all ages. Recent decades have seen a significant expansion in this field, from interventions which are focused on ‘bringing nature to people’ by greening local environments, to those that are focused on ‘bringing people to nature’ by encouraging adults and children to participate in nature-based activities. In this chapter, we review the diversity of this field, and evaluate the current evidence base (and its gaps) for how, when and for whom such interventions are effective. Recommendations for future research programmes in this area are provided.